Inexpensive ways to make a party great!

 Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post. These thoughts are purely my own

I love throwing parties. When Lex turned one we went all out. We rented the hall and everything matched to a T and we spent way too much money even though it was amazing and he will never remember it. For his second birthday we decided since we recently bought a house we would have the party here. K did not want to spend as much money this time so I had to come up with creative and inexpensive ways to scratch my matching itch. Here are a few tips to make something big out of something little! 

                          

 

First I went on Etsy.com and searched for super hero instant download print outs. The set I bought was about 10 dollars and had tons of print outs. Then I went on Staples.com and selected what I wanted printed at my local store. To have everything printed out that I wanted it was about 15.00. 

I made a list of things I needed for my food table and used the little cut out signs for all of my food ideas. These little signs added a super touch to something so simple. 

I bought a pack of water bottles and cut out the water bottle labels that came with the pack and water went from ordinary to extraordinary in just a few minutes! 

                          

 

I made balloon pillars from a roll of balloon decorating strip. I blew up 80 balloons to make those pillars! Each bag of balloons cost 2.99 for packs of 20 making it 12.00 total. 

I also made my own lovely cupcakes (Black and yellow for Batman colors) and bought this paper cupcake tower at Party City for 7.00. 

Here are more examples of signs for the food: 

                   

     

I hung a few more "Happy Birthday" signs and "Super Hero Only" signs and bam! one awesome super hero party! You can do this with almost any theme! So next party you throw I hope this helps you add some cheap special touches! 

Have a yummy day! 

~Crystyn~

Lunch Packing Ideas That Rock

May have received compensation for this post. All opinions are mime and mine alone.

Looking for easy ways to make a great, healthy lunch. It's not as hard as you think! It can also be Pinterest fun! All you need is some fresh fruit or veggies. Cut them up ahead of time. Each day add them into the lunch box. Add a different dip. Do a marshmallow dip one day for the fruit and a ranch the next day for veggies. Add some great pick me up protein with a Yummy Snack or a handful of trail mix. Last but not least, unless your kid hates peanutbutter/jelly. Toss in a sandwich. Cut out a small heart on top to make it just a little more fun to eat!

One other way to keep a lunch more on the healthier side is to use some wheat bread. You can also make your own lunchable! Put some pepperoni in the case, cheese slices, and crackers.

When looking to pack a lunch. Great ideas are easy and not hard to come up with. There will days when yes, you do toss a pack of Oreos in the bag or buy a premade lunchable. You know what, in my opinion. Thats ok! I have those days and my daughter happens to enjoy those days as well. All about surprise of the lunch. She loves to open it and see what kind of bar she got or fruit is in it that day.

Another A+ lunch idea is to include a small note. Grab a stack of post its. When your done packing lunch, write a few simple words. Like I love you or even a picture of the sunshine. It's going to bring a smile to their face for sure and set their moods for the rest of the school day to a good one.

Escape Room Lancaster

I was provided and experience in exchange for my post. All opinions are mine and mine alone. (Lancaster location)

Crystyn and I got to go this amazing place! Check it out! (No it's not scary) 

Recently a friend and I went to the Escape room. I also went a second time with my new husband. It was a blast. While you read the title and are thinking this sounds scary or maybe something for the fall season only, It's not! It's a puzzle or a game more so.

You choose one of the current three rooms. These do change sometimes and themes can vary. Currently they have a train station, art gallery, and medieval theme. I have done train station and art gallery.

Room sizes also vary. You can go as a couple or go as a group. If you go as a couple you will be in a room, locked away with a stranger or so. Thats the best part. You get to meet new people and work together. You all have to help find the clue and make the pieces fit. The team behind the scenes do give out hints when needed but nothing gives that clue away. You for sure need to use your head and think in these rooms. While yes you are locked in the room for a full 60 minutes unless you escape early because your just so darn smart! There are fire exits for all those kinda afraid to "actually" be locked in it with no way out.

I also did the train station with my husband. It was only him and I. I must say it felt awesome working together. We escaped just 6 minutes before our time was up, it was hard! While I did two rooms, they were different experiences. completely different ways to find clues, puzzles, hints, settings, it was so fun.

The crew over at the Lancaster Escape Room is amazing. Funny fact, they watch you the whole time in the room. They are the ones giving out clues or clues that your team may just need. They are funny and very helpful, as well as super polite. There are rules along with this experience. Like no photos in the room because you don't wanna give out any secrets. Do not touch the "do not touch signs" I certainly touched one or two! If you leave the room before you actually escape. There is no re-entry. To go to the Escape room you do have to book an appointment online.

This is awesome for companies to do and build some team building skills with co workers. Awesome for you to do as a date night or out with friends. Even bring in the whole family. They do allow kids but a waiver has to be signed. So for all those mamas out there with an infant. You can baby wear them and be on your marry way. My friend wore her son and she had a blast too.

My tips for going to escape room. Be fun and talk with your friends or newly met strangers. Go a little early to try out all the locks they have. Leave time after for pictures in their photo prop area! So much fun and so worth going. Once you go the first time your gonna wanna keep coming back.

Find out more information about the Lancaster Escape Room.

GOT MARRIED

I did not receive anything for this post. All opinions are mine and mine alone. 

I was married this past September. I am working on getting the photos to show everyone! 

In the mean time! Enjoy this Sneak Peek after alterations were done! 

Dress is from Davids Bridal. Discontinued dress thats no longer available. They happen to have ONE in the store in my size! (In a whisper pink color!) See below! 

Revamping the already awesome

Snack bar reviews is back up and running with a new writer! Hi! I am Crystyn and this picture above is my beautiful family. I am sure you will get to know me along the way but I thought I would introduce myself and my family. I graduated from Millersville University with degrees in Elementary and Special Education. Right out of college I was hire to be a behavior technician at a school for children with autism. Then I moved to a preschool where I was their 3 year old teacher. Present day me is a stay at home mom loving life and watching my babies grow. We recently bought a house and are discovering they great joys of baby proofing, fixing things, and decorating and turning a house into our home. 

My husband, we will refer to him as K, is the working man of the family and is a supportive, loving father to my two handsome boys. 

My oldest son's name is Lex. He was 2 in October and teaches us something new every day. He loves super heroes, playing on the iPad, snuggling and watching movies, playing outside in the dirt, and just being a kid! He is an amazing big brother and loves helping! 

My youngest son's name is Jack. He was recently born in July. He is just like his big brother. He loves being held and worn, mommies milkies, and laughing at his big brother. He has taught me how to multi task and how to juggle life! 

Throughout our journey you will see pictures I have taken and my thoughts about products and life! So when you are shopping for the perfect gift and just can't find something, browse around here and you just may see my thoughts on it! 

Have a yummy day! 

~Crystyn

Operation Smile and RentBack

Have someone in school and in need of books! Check out RentBack and Campus Book Rentals. They offer amazing deals and ones that won't hurt your bank account any more then it is. You get to act as if they were yours. High light them, Take notes! 

RentBack is new initiative that allows students to rent the textbooks they own - to other students... which is awesome because it makes them 2-4x more money compared to what they'd make through buyback options! (selling their books back at the end of the semester) Isn't that awesome?!

CampusBookRentals.com RentBack:


You may find more information about Operation Smile HERE 

Some perks from Rent Back are:

-save 40-90% off of bookstore prices

-free shipping both ways

-can highlight in the textbooks

-flexible renting periods


-we donate to Operation Smile with each textbook rented

Check more out HERE

Babiators and Itzy Ritzy Giveaway

    

     Babiators and Itzy Ritzy are teaming up these next two weeks for an awesome Get Ready For Summer Giveaway!! One lucky winner will win an awesome pair Babiators sunglasses (choice of color and size) as well two cool Itzy Ritzy Snack Bags.

Read more for entry details, 3 simple steps!

Fun Times With Doc McStuffins

    In celebration of this week's release of DOC MCSTUFFINS TIME FOR YOUR CHECKUP on Disney DVD it's time for some fun! Click on the button below to download free Doc McStuffins activity sheets! Help Doc diagnose her patients with a matching game, see what's hidden in the stars by connecting the dots, build your own playhouse then kick back with some coloring sheets featuring Doc and her friends!

WOW! Spring is here! Other news!

Spring is finally here!!! With 73 degree weather! I am super excited to get things rolling! 

Click to read more for some NEW, Exciting news!!! 

Where is Spring??!!

Where the heck is spring! "Mr groundhog" I know longer have faith in you! 

Seriously! I am sick of snow and ready to get going for walks with my kiddies! Hiking in the woods, oh how I long for warmness!